Lintel

ABSTRACT

A lintel is disclosed for supporting a course of blocks with a binder above an opening. The opening is defined between a first supporting surface and a second supporting surface. The course of blocks include a first bearing portion and a second bearing portion. The lintel comprises an elongated base having a first end and a second end for extending between the first supporting surface and the second supporting surface. The elongated base has a top portion and a bottom portion, a first side and a second side. A riser extends from the top portion of the elongated base for increasing the load capacity of the lintel. A first dam extends upwardly from the first side of the elongated base for pooling the binder adjacent to the first dam. A second dam extends upwardly from the second side of the elongated base for pooling the binder adjacent to the second dam. The first and second bearing portions of the course of blocks are positioned above the first and second dams with the pooled binder supporting the first and second bearing portions of the course of blocks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to lintels and more particularly to a new andimproved lintel and method of supporting a course of blocks with abinder above an opening.

2. Background of the Invention

A post-and-lintel construction is most often utilized for supporting aload above an opening. The post-and-lintel construction has been usedall over the world and for centuries ranging from the stone circle atStonehenge and the Greek architecture of the Parthenon in Athens topresent day commercial and residential windows and doorways. Lintelshave been constructed from stone, timber, concrete or steel. Each ofthese materials have positive and negative characteristics when used toconstruct a lintel.

Lintels constructed of stone resist weathering and corrosion, however astone lintel may span only very limited distances due to the weight ofthe lintel and lack of tensile strength. Lintels constructed from timberare capable of spanning further distances than stone lintels, howevertimber is susceptible to burning and decaying. Concrete lintels may spanfurther than stone lintels and resist burning and decaying unlike timberlintels, however the weight of concrete lintels economically inhibitstransportation of concrete lintels over large distances.

There is a need for a lintel which has an acceptable weight to loadcapacity, resistant to weathering and corrosion and is easilytransportable. The construction industry has tried to satisfy this needby developing steel lintels. The following U.S. Patents are examples ofattempts of the prior art to solve these problems.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,020,612 to W. T. Welch discloses a lintel fabricated ofan elongated lightweight metal plate having rigidifying beam meansaffixed thereto and extending longitudinally thereof.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,280,308 to L. Svensson discloses a lintel for supportingarches over doors, windows and other openings in a wall. The lintel ismade of relatively thin sheet metal and has at least one load-carryingshank, so that the lintel in spite of its thin construction can carrygreat loads during the walling of the arch. The shank or each shank isprovided with a longitudinally extending material weakening, e.g. aseries of slots, perforations, a groove or similar. The materialweakening forms a fracture indication along which the shank can befolded or broken off, when the mortar has set and brickwork has becomeself-supporting.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,409,764 to J. A. Wilnau discloses a system forconstructing the structural framework of a building or other structureof reinforced concrete, characterized by column and beam forms of sheetmetal which remain in place as permanent parts of the framework afterbeing filled with concrete. These forms are preferablyfactory-assembled, together with the necessary internal metalreinforcing skeletons, and shipped to the building site ready forerection of the column forms and interconnection thereof by the beamforms. Novel provisions are made, by means of walers and tensioned steelbands, for initially compressing opposed side walls of the forms toconcave curvatures so that they are returned to essential flatness bythe hydrostatic pressure of the fluid concrete.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,757,656 to J. Powers, Jr. discloses a lintel systemincluding a steel flange plate adapted to rest on the wall adjacent bothsides of an opening to be spanned, a steel reinforcing structureintegral with the flange plate and steel primary reinforcing rods weldedto the reinforcing structure and extending upwardly. After the flangeplate has been emplaced, two courses of masonry blocks are laid toencompass the primary reinforcing rods. Different embodiments of theinvention employ different upper structures. In a first embodiment, awooden beam directly overlays the upper plate, and each includesapertures generally aligned with and larger than the primary reinforcingrods, each of which is threaded to receive a nut along its terminalportion such that the nuts may be tightened to compress the lintelsystem into a rigid structure. In the second embodiment, the lintelsystem also includes secondary reinforcing rods welded to the lower faceof the upper plate and extending downwardly into the interior space ofthe masonry blocks. Upwardly directed steel studs are welded to theupper face and extend through the apertures in the beam and the topplate such that nuts may be tightened to compress the lintel system intoa rigid structure. A charge of mortar is introduced into the spacewithin the masonry block courses to envelop the portions of thereinforcing rods disposed in the space.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,538 to J. Powers, Jr. discloses a prefabricatedlintel having two spaced apart parallel upstanding legs extending alongthe length of the lintel and having laterally aligned holes definedtherethrough and spaced therealong. The lintel further has a flat lowersurface and an upper surface defining flat, horizontal shoulderspositioned along outer edges of the lintel on opposite sides of theupstanding legs and extending the length of the lintel. The lintel isplaced to span a doorway and a course of blocks is laid on the flatshoulders, with a second course laid on the first course and a rebarpositioned on the upper surface. A plurality of wire stirrups, eachdefining a rebar receiving loop, are engaged over the rebar and extendthrough openings in the two courses with end portions of the stirrupsengaged in each of the holes defined in the upstanding legs of thelintel. The block openings are filled with grout.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,367,209 to J. Powers, Jr. discloses a box lintelincluding an elongated, hollow metal form with a lower wall, integrallyformed side walls extending upwardly therefrom, and integrally formedpartial upper walls extending inwardly from the side walls. A method offabricating a box lintel is also disclosed which includes the steps ofproviding an elongated flat sheet of metal and bending the flat sheet ofmetal into a hollow metal form with a lower wall, integrally formed sidewalls extending upwardly therefrom, and integrally formed partial upperwalls extending inwardly from the side walls. The form is adapted to bepositioned on upright masonry supports so as to span an opening and tobe filled with grout/mortar and to receive one or more courses ofmasonry bricks on the upper walls.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,560,938 to J. Powers, Jr. discloses a box lintelincluding an elongated, hollow metal form with a lower wall, integrallyformed side walls extending upwardly therefrom, and integrally formedpartial upper walls extending inwardly from the side walls. A method offabricating a box lintel is also disclosed which includes the steps ofproviding an elongated flat sheet of metal and bending the flat sheet ofmetal into a hollow metal form with a lower wall, integrally formed sidewalls extending upwardly therefrom, and integrally formed partial upperwalls extending inwardly from the side walls. The form is adapted to bepositioned on upright masonry supports so as to span an opening and tobe filled with grout/mortar and to receive one or more courses ofmasonry bricks on the upper walls.

Although the aforementioned prior art have contribute to the developmentof the art of lintels, none of these prior art patents have solved theneed of this art.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved lintel that provides an acceptable weight to load capacity.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved lintel thatprovides resistance to weathering and corrosion.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved lintel byreducing the weight of the lintel for transportation over largedistances.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved lintel thatis quickly and easily installed.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved method forsupporting a load above an opening.

The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of thepresent invention. These objects should be construed as being merelyillustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications ofthe invention. Many other beneficial results can be obtained bymodifying the invention within the scope of the invention. Accordinglyother objects in a full understanding of the invention may be had byreferring to the summary of the invention, the detailed descriptiondescribing the preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of theinvention defined by the claims taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A specific embodiment of the present invention is shown in the attacheddrawings. For the purpose of summarizing the invention, the inventionrelates to an improved lintel for supporting a course of blocks with abinder above an opening. The opening is defined between a firstsupporting surface and a second supporting surface. The course of blocksinclude a first bearing portion and a second bearing portion.

The lintel comprises an elongated base having a first end and a secondend for extending between the first supporting surface and the secondsupporting surface. The elongated base has a top portion and a bottomportion, a first side and a second side. A riser extends from the topportion of the elongated base for increasing the load capacity of thelintel. A first dam extends upwardly from the first side of theelongated base for pooling the binder adjacent to the first dam. Asecond dam extends upwardly from the second side of the elongated basefor pooling the binder adjacent to the second dam. The first and secondbearing portions of the course of blocks are positioned above the firstand second dams with the pooled binder supporting the first and secondbearing portions of the course of blocks.

In a more specific embodiment of the invention, the binder includes amortar and the course of blocks include masonry blocks. The base, riser,first dam and second dam are formed from a single metallic material.Alternatively, the base, riser, first dam and second dam are formed froma single polymeric material. The riser includes a textured surface forincreasing the bonding strength between the grout and the lintel.

In one embodiment of the invention, the riser includes a first and asecond riser extending from the top side of said elongated base. Thefirst and second risers are disposed in a spaced apart parallelrelationship between the first and second dams for increasing the loadcapacity of the lintel.

In another embodiment of the invention, the riser has a proximal end anda distal end. The proximal end is secured to the top portion of theelongated base. The distal end includes an enlarged flange forincreasing the load capacity of the lintel. The enlarged flange includeseither a generally triangular cross-section, generally circularcross-section, generally square cross-section, generally V-shapecross-section, generally rhombus shape cross-section, or generallyV-shaped bottom portion and a semi-circle upper portion intersecting theV-shaped bottom portion.

In another embodiment of the invention, a first guide riser and a secondguide riser extends from the top portion of the elongated base foraligning the course of blocks on the lintel.

In one example of the invention, a plurality of hangers extend betweenthe first and second risers for supporting a reinforcement bar disposedin a parallel relationship between the first and second risers forincreasing the load capacity of the lintel. The reinforcement barterminates upon the first end of the elongated base, or extends beyondthe first end of the elongated base, or the reinforcement bar has ahorizontal portion and a vertical portion having the horizontal portionpositioned upon the plurality of hangers and the vertical portionsecured to the first supporting surface.

The invention is also incorporated into the method of providing anelongated base having a first end and a second end with a first and asecond dam extending upwardly from a first and a second side of theelongated base. The first and second ends of the base are positioned onthe first and second supporting surfaces. The binder is positionedadjacent to the first and second dams. The first and second bearingportions of a first course of blocks are positioned above the first andsecond dams with the pooled binder supporting the first and secondbearing portions of the first course of blocks.

In a further method incorporated into the invention, the first course ofblocks are filled with grout. A second or more courses of blocks with abinder are positioned above the first course of blocks. The second ormore courses of blocks may be filled with grout or other material.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent andimportant features of the present invention in order that the detaileddescription that follows may be better understood so that the presentcontribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additionalfeatures of the invention will be described hereinafter which form thesubject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that the conception and the specificembodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifyingor designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of thepresent invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in theart that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit andscope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be made to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a lintel for supporting a course ofblocks with a binder above an opening incorporating the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view along line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the lintel without the course of blockswith a binder;

FIG. 4 is a top isometric view of the course of blocks;

FIG. 5 is a bottom isometric view of the course of blocks;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the lintel with anenlarged flange having a generally triangular cross-section;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 6 with the enlarged flangehaving a generally circular cross-section;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 6 with the enlarged flangehaving a generally square cross-section;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 6 with the enlarged flangehaving a generally V-shape circular cross-section;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 6 with the enlarged flangehaving a generally rhombus cross-section;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 7 with the enlarged flangehaving a generally V-shape bottom portion and a semi-circle upperportion;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a third embodiment of the lintel with afirst and second guide riser;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 12 with a first and secondriser;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 12 with the enlarged flangehaving a generally triangular cross-section;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 with a plurality ofhangers supporting a reinforcement bar;

FIG. 16 is an isometric view of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 15 with the reinforcementbar extending beyond the lintel;

FIG. 18 is a an isometric view similar to FIG. 15 with the reinforcementbar having a horizontal portion and a vertical portion;

FIG. 19 is an isometric view of the lintel positioned on a first andsecond surface;

FIG. 20 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 19 with the course ofblocks positioned on the lintel;

FIG. 21 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 19 with a binder fillingthe course of blocks; and

FIG. 22 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 19 with the bindercompletely filling the course of blocks.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral Figures of the drawings.

DETAILED DISCUSSION

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the improved invention 10 located withina conventional masonry wall 12. The wall 12 comprises a footer 14 forsupporting the wall 12. The wall 12 is erected in a conventional fashionwith mortar 16, grout 18 and reinforcement as required. The wall 12includes an opening 20 which may be representative of a doorway orwindow in the building structure. The opening 20 is defined between afirst supporting surface 22 and a second supporting surface 24. A lintel26 incorporating the improved invention 10 spans the opening 20 forsupporting a course of blocks 28 with a binder 30.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view along line 2-2 in FIG. 1 of one of the courseof blocks 28 and the lintel 26. The course of blocks 28 include a firstbearing portion 32 and a second bearing portion 34. The lintel 26comprises an elongated base 36 having a top portion 38 and a bottomportion 40, a first side 42 and a second side 44. A riser 46 extendsfrom the top portion 38 of the elongated base 36 for increasing the loadcapacity of the lintel 26. A first dam 48 extends upwardly from thefirst side 42 of the elongated base 36 for pooling the binder 30adjacent to the first dam 48. A second dam 50 extends upwardly from thesecond side 44 of the elongated base 36 for pooling the binder 30adjacent to the second dam 50.

The first and second bearing portions 32 and 34 of the course of blocks28 are positioned above the first and second dams 48 and 50respectively, with the pooled binder 30 supporting the first and secondbearing portions 32 and 34 of the course of blocks 28. The binder 30 mayinclude conventional mortar or other similar material.

Upon placement of the course of blocks 28 on the lintel 26, theelongated base 36 and first and second dam 48 and 50 are in tension. Theriser 46 has a portion in tension and a portion under compression. Theriser 46 may contain the texture surface 66 including a series ofgrooves 67. The grooves 67 provide additional surface area for the grout18 to bond to the lintel 26.

The cells 72 are filled with grout 18 to encase the lintel 26. After thegrout has cured and a load is placed upon the lintel 26, the riser 46 isplaced under a tensile force. The grooves 67 prevent movement of theriser 46 relative to the grout 18 when a tensile force is applied to thelintel 26.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the lintel 26. The elongated base 36 ofthe lintel 26 has a first end 54 and a second end 56 for extendingbetween the first supporting surface 22 and the second supportingsurface 24 of the wall 12. The riser may include a first and a secondriser 58 and 60 respectively, extending from the top portion 38 of theelongated base 36. The first and second risers 58 and 60 are disposed ina spaced apart parallel relationship between said first and second dams48 and 50 for increasing the load capacity of the lintel.

The base 36, riser 46, first dam 48 and second dam 50 may be formed froma single metallic material 62 by a continuous progressive cold rollingprocess, casting or other metal working process. Alternatively the base36, riser 46, first dam 48 and second dam 50 may be formed from a singlepolymeric material 64 by injection molding, extrusion or other polymericworking process.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are top and bottom isometric views of one of the course ofblocks 28. The course of blocks may include masonry blocks 68. Themasonry blocks 68 contain a channel 70 such that the masonry blocks 68may arch over the riser 46. The masonry blocks 68 further contain aplurality of cells 72 for permitting grout to traverse through themasonry blocks 68. Alternatively, the masonry blocks 68 may include aknockout web bond beam stretcher unit.

FIGS. 6-11 illustrate a second embodiment for the improved invention 10.The riser has a proximal end 74 and a distal end 76. The proximal end 74is secured to the top portion 38 of the elongated base 36. The distalend includes an enlarged flange 78 for increasing the load capacity ofthe lintel 26. Upon placement of the course of blocks 28 on the lintel26, the elongated base 36 and first and second dam 48 and 50 will be intension. The riser have a portion in tension and a portion undercompression. The enlarged flange 78 is in compression. The enlargedflange 78 may contain the texture surface 66 including a series ofgrooves 67. The grooves 67 provide additional surface area for the grout18 to bond to the lintel 26.

The cells 72 are filled with grout 18 to encase the lintel 26 andenlarged flange 78. After the grout has cured and a load is placed uponthe lintel 26, the enlarged flange 78 is placed under a tensile force.The grooves 67 prevent movement of the enlarged flange 78 relative tothe grout 18 when a tensile force is applied to the lintel 26.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of one of the course of blocks 28 and thelintel 26. The enlarged flange 78 includes a generally triangularcross-section 80 for increasing the load capacity of the lintel 26. Thetriangular cross-section 80 contains a triangular cavity 82 that issealed to prohibit any grout from entering the triangular cavity 82.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of one of the course of blocks 28 and thelintel 26. The enlarged flange 78 includes a generally circularcross-section 84 for increasing the load capacity of the lintel 26. Thecircular cross-section 84 contains a circular cavity 86 that is sealedto prohibit any grout from entering the circular cavity 86.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of one of the course of blocks 28 and thelintel 26. The enlarged flange 78 includes a generally squarecross-section 88 for increasing the load capacity of the lintel 26. Thesquare cross-section 88 contains a square cavity 90 that is sealed toprohibit any grout from entering the square cavity 90.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of one of the course of blocks 28 and thelintel 26. The enlarged flange 78 includes a generally V-shapecross-section 92 for increasing the load capacity of the lintel 26.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of one of the course of blocks 28 and thelintel 26. The enlarged flange 78 includes a generally rhombuscross-section 94 for increasing the load capacity of the lintel 26. Therhombus cross-section 94 contains a rhombus cavity 96 that is sealed toprohibit any grout from entering the rhombus cavity 96.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of one of the course of blocks 28 and thelintel 26. The enlarged flange 78 includes a generally V-shaped bottomportion 98 and a semi-circle upper portion 100 intersecting the V-shapedbottom portion 98 for increasing the load capacity of the lintel 26. Theintersecting V-shaped bottom portion 98 and semi-circle upper portion100 forms a void 102 that is sealed to prohibit any grout from enteringthe void 102.

FIGS. 12-14 illustrate a third embodiment for the improved invention 10.A first guide riser 104 and a second guide riser 106 extend from the topportion 38 of the elongated base 36. The first and second guide risers104 and 106 are disposed in a spaced apart parallel relationship betweenthe first and second dams 48 and 50 for aligning the course of blocks 28on the lintel 26. The first and second guide risers 104 and 106 arecentered in relation to the width of the elongated base 26. The distancebetween the first and second guide risers 104 and 106 is commensuratewith the width of the cell 72 such that upon placing the course ofblocks 28 upon the lintel 26, the first and second guide risers 104 and106 extend into the cell 72 to prevent horizontal movement of the courseof blocks 28 relative to the lintel 26.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of one of the course of blocks 28 and thelintel 26. In FIG. 12 the first and second guide risers 104 and 106 aredisposed with a single riser 46. In FIG. 13 the first and second guiderisers 104 and 106 are disposed with first and second risers 58 and 60.FIG. 14 illustrates the first and second guide risers 104 and 106disposed a single riser 46 having an enlarged flange 78 including agenerally triangular cross-section 80.

FIGS. 15-18 illustrate the improved invention 10 incorporating areinforcing system 108 to increase the tensile strength of the lintel26. FIG. 15 is a sectional view of one of the course of blocks 28 andthe lintel 26 incorporating the reinforcing system 108. Thereinforcement system 108 includes a plurality of hangers 110 extendingbetween the first and second risers 58 and 60. The plurality of hangers110 are secured to the first and second risers 58 and 60 by a first andsecond clip 112 and 114 slidably engaging the distal ends 76 of thefirst and second risers 58 and 60 respectively. A cradle 116 supports areinforcement bar 118 disposed in a parallel relationship between saidfirst and second risers for increasing the load capacity of the lintel.The plurality of hangers 110 may be formed from a single metallicmaterial 62 by a continuous progressive cold rolling process, casting orother metal working process. Alternatively the plurality of hangers 110may be formed from a single polymeric material 64 by injection molding,extrusion or other polymeric working process.

The reinforcement bar 118 includes bar grooves 119 to provide additionalsurface area for the grout 18 to bond to the reinforcement bar 118. Thecells 72 are filled with grout 18 to encase the lintel 26, risers 58 and60 and reinforcing system 108. After the grout has cured and a load isplaced upon the lintel 26, the reinforcement bar 118 is placed under atensile force. The bar grooves 119 prevent movement of the bar grooves119 relative to the grout 18 when a tensile force is applied to thelintel 26. The reinforcement bar 119 may be constructed from steel orother rigid material. The reinforcement bar 119 may include an epoxycoating for preventing corrosion of the reinforcement bar 119.

FIGS. 16-18 are isometric views of the first end 54 of the lintel 26positioned on the first supporting surface 22. One of the course ofblocks 28 is positioned upon the lintel 26. Preferably the course ofblocks 28 are positioned to align the cells 72 of the course of blocks28 with the cells 72 of the masonry wall 12.

In FIG. 16 the reinforcement bar 118 terminates at the first end 54 torestrict the reinforcement system 108 to the lintel 26. When the grout18 has cured within the cells 72 and about the lintel 26 andreinforcement system 108, the course blocks 28, lintel 26 andreinforcement system 108 becomes an integral unit.

In FIGS. 17 and 18 the reinforcement bar 118 extends beyond the firstend 54 to expand the reinforcement system 108 from the lintel 26 to theadjacent masonry wall 12.

FIG. 17 illustrates the reinforcement bar 118 horizontally extendinginto the adjacent masonry wall 12. When the grout 18 has cured withinthe cells 72 and about the lintel 26 and reinforcement system 108, thecourse blocks 28, lintel 26, reinforcement system 108 and masonry wall12 becomes an integral unit.

FIG. 18 illustrates the reinforcement bar 118 both horizontally andvertically extending into the adjacent masonry wall 12. Thereinforcement bar includes a horizontal portion 120 and a verticalportion 122. The horizontal portion 120 is supported by the plurality ofhangers 110. The vertical portion 122 is inserted into the cell 72immediately adjacent the first end 54. A coupling bar 124 having agenerally 90 degree arch spans between the horizontal portion 120 andvertical portion 122. A plurality of wire ties 126 secure the couplingbar 124 to both the horizontal portion 120 and the vertical portion 122.When the grout 18 has cured within the cells 72 and about the lintel 26and reinforcement system 108, the course blocks 28, lintel 26,reinforcement system 108 and masonry wall 12 becomes an integral unit.

FIGS. 19-22 demonstrate the method of using the lintel 26 for supportingthe course of blocks 28 with a binder 30 above the opening 20. In FIG.19 the lintel 26 is positioned between the two masonry walls 12. Toposition the lintel 26 over the opening 20, the first and second ends 54and 56 are positioned on the first and second supporting surfaces 22 and24. Before positioning the lintel 26 to the masonry wall 12, a bed ofmortar 16 may be applied to the first and second supporting surfaces 22and 24. Preferably, the length of the lintel 26 is such that the firstand second ends 54 and 56 engages with one (1) to six (6) inches of thefirst and second supporting surfaces 22 and 24.

The lintel 26 may be secured to the first and second supporting surfaces22 and 24 by a plurality of screws, rivets or other similar fasteningdevices traversing through the elongated base 36 and into the masonrywall 12. In some instances where the lintel 26 is required to span alarger opening 20, a plurality of pole-jacks 128 may be utilized tosupport the lintel 26 until construction is complete. With the lintelsecurely located on the first and second supporting surfaces 22, and 24,a binder 30 is positioned adjacent to the first and second dams 48 and50. The positioning the binder 30 may be accomplished by a trowel or theother similar tool. The binder 30 may include mortar 16 or other similarmaterial.

FIG. 20 illustrates the positioning of the first and second bearingportions 32 and 34 of the course of blocks 28 above the first and seconddams 48 and 50 with the pooled binder 30 supporting the first and secondbearing portions 32 and 34 of the course of blocks 28. Binder 30 is alsopositioned between the course of blocks 28.

FIG. 21 illustrates the course of blocks 28 positioned along the entirelength of the lintel 26. A shoot 130 positions the grout 18 over thecourse of blocks 28. The grout 18 is poured into the cells 72 until thelintel 26, risers 58 and 60 and reinforcing system 108 are encased andthe cells 72 are filled with grout 18. When the grout 18 has curedwithin the cells 72 and about the lintel 26 and reinforcement system108, the course blocks 28, lintel 26, reinforcement system 108 become anintegral unit.

FIG. 22 illustrates the grout 18 cured within the cells 72 and about thelintel 26 and reinforcement system 108. The additional support suppliedby the pole-jacks 128 may now be removed from beneath the lintel 26. Ifnecessary a second course of blocks 132 may be positioned above thecourse of blocks 28 with a binder 30.

The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims aswell as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention hasbeen described in its preferred form with a certain degree ofparticularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of thepreferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerouschanges in the details of construction and the combination andarrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.

1. A lintel for supporting a course of blocks with a binder above anopening, the opening defined between a first supporting surface and asecond supporting surface, the course of blocks including a firstbearing portion and a second bearing portion, comprising: an elongatedbase having a first end and a second end for extending between the firstsupporting surface and the second supporting surface, said elongatedbase having a top portion and a bottom portion, a first side and asecond side; a riser extending from said top portion of said elongatedbase for increasing the load capacity of the lintel; a first damextending upwardly from said first side of said elongated base forpooling the binder adjacent to said first dam; a second dam extendingupwardly from said second side of said elongated base for pooling thebinder adjacent to said second dam; and the first and second bearingportions of the course of blocks positioned above said first and seconddams with the pooled binder supporting the first and second bearingportions of the course of blocks.
 2. A lintel for supporting a course ofblocks with a binder above an opening as set forth in claim 1, whereinthe binder includes a mortar.
 3. A lintel for supporting a course ofblocks with a binder above an opening as set forth in claim 1, whereinthe course of blocks include masonry blocks.
 4. A lintel for supportinga course of blocks with a binder above an opening as set forth in claim1, wherein said base, riser, first dam and second dam are formed from asingle metallic material.
 5. A lintel for supporting a course of blockswith a binder above an opening as set forth in claim 1, wherein saidbase, riser, first dam and second dam are formed from a single polymericmaterial.
 6. A lintel for supporting a course of blocks with a binderabove an opening as set forth in claim 1, wherein said riser includes atextured surface for increasing the bonding strength between the binderand the lintel.
 7. A lintel for supporting a course of blocks with abinder above an opening as set forth in claim 1, wherein said riserincludes a first and a second riser extending from the top side of saidelongated base; and said first and second risers being disposed in aspaced apart parallel relationship between said first and second damsfor increasing the load capacity of the lintel.
 8. A lintel forsupporting a course of blocks with a binder above an opening as setforth in claim 1, wherein said riser has a proximal end and a distalend; said proximal end being secured to said top portion of saidelongated base; and said distal end includes an enlarged flange forincreasing the load capacity of the lintel.
 9. A lintel for supporting acourse of blocks with a binder above an opening as set forth in claim 1,wherein said riser has a proximal end and a distal end; said proximalend being secured to said top portion of said elongated base; saiddistal end includes an enlarged flange for increasing the load capacityof the lintel; and said enlarged flange having a generally triangularcross-section.
 10. A lintel for supporting a course of blocks with abinder above an opening as set forth in claim 1, wherein said riser hasa proximal end and a distal end; said proximal end being secured to saidtop portion of said elongated base; said distal end includes an enlargedflange for increasing the load capacity of the lintel; and said enlargedflange having a generally circular cross-section.
 11. A lintel forsupporting a course of blocks with a binder above an opening as setforth in claim 1, wherein said riser has a proximal end and a distalend; said proximal end being secured to said top portion of saidelongated base; said distal end includes an enlarged flange forincreasing the load capacity of the lintel; and said enlarged flangehaving a generally square cross-section.
 12. A lintel for supporting acourse of blocks with a binder above an opening as set forth in claim 1,wherein said riser has a proximal end and a distal end; said proximalend being secured to said top portion of said elongated base; saiddistal end includes an enlarged flange for increasing the load capacityof the lintel; and said enlarged flange having a generally V-shapecross-section.
 13. A lintel for supporting a course of blocks with abinder above an opening as set forth in claim 1, wherein said riser hasa proximal end and a distal end; said proximal end being secured to saidtop portion of said elongated base; said distal end includes an enlargedflange for increasing the load capacity of the lintel; and said enlargedflange having a generally rhombus shape cross-section.
 14. A lintel forsupporting a course of blocks with a binder above an opening as setforth in claim 1, wherein said riser has a proximal end and a distalend; said proximal end being secured to said top portion of saidelongated base; said distal end includes an enlarged flange forincreasing the load capacity of the lintel; and said enlarged flangehaving a generally V-shaped bottom portion and a semi-circle upperportion intersecting the V-shaped bottom portion.
 15. A lintel forsupporting a course of blocks with a binder above an opening as setforth in claim 1, including a first guide riser and a second guide riserextending from said top portion of said elongated base for aligning thecourse of blocks on the lintel.
 16. A lintel for supporting a course ofblocks with a binder above an opening as set forth in claim 1, whereinsaid riser includes a first and a second riser extending from the topside of said elongated base; said first and second risers being disposedin a spaced apart parallel relationship between said first and seconddams for increasing the load capacity of the lintel; and a plurality ofhangers extending between said first and second riser for supporting areinforcement bar disposed in a parallel relationship between said firstand second risers for increasing the load capacity of the lintel.
 17. Alintel for supporting a course of blocks with a binder above an openingas set forth in claim 1, wherein said riser includes a first and asecond riser extending from the top side of said base; said first andsecond risers being disposed in a spaced apart parallel relationshipbetween said first and second dams for increasing the load capacity ofthe lintel; a plurality of hangers extending between said first andsecond riser for supporting a reinforcement bar disposed in a parallelrelationship between said first and second risers for increasing theload capacity of the lintel; and said reinforcement bar extending beyondthe first end of said elongated base.
 18. A lintel for supporting acourse of blocks with a binder above an opening as set forth in claim 1,wherein said riser includes a first and a second riser extending fromthe top side of said base; said first and second risers being disposedin a spaced apart parallel relationship between said first and seconddams for increasing the load capacity of the lintel; a plurality ofhangers extending between said first and second riser for supporting areinforcement bar disposed in a parallel relationship between said firstand second risers for increasing the load capacity of the lintel; saidreinforcement bar having a horizontal portion and a vertical portion;and said horizontal portion positioned upon said plurality of hangersand said vertical portion secured to the first supporting surface.
 19. Amethod for supporting a course of blocks with a binder above an opening,the opening defined between a first supporting surface and a secondsupport surface, the course of blocks including a first bearing portionand a second bearing portion, comprising the steps of: providing anelongated base having a first end and a second end with a first and asecond dam extending upwardly from a first and a second side of saidelongated base; positioning said first and second end of said base onthe first and second supporting surfaces; positioning the binderadjacent to said first and second dams; and positioning the first andsecond bearing portions of the course of blocks above said first andsecond dams with the pooled binder supporting the first and secondbearing portions of the course of blocks.
 20. A method for supporting acourse of blocks with a binder above an opening as set forth in claim19, including the step of filling the course of blocks with binder. 21.The method of supporting a course of blocks with a binder above anopening as set forth in claim 19, including the step of positioning asecond course of blocks with a binder above the course of blocks.